Association Between the Language Development and Behavioral-Emotional Problems in Children With Ankyloglossia

Background and Objectives The study attempted to clarify the correlation between the degree of behavioral-emotional problems and language development in patients with ankyloglossia and to identify pre- and post-operative changes in pronunciation, language, and behavioral-emotional problems. Subjects and Method This prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary academic center. Patients with ankyloglossia exhibiting articulation disorders were divided into normal and language delay groups according to the degree of language development. Articulation was evaluated using the Korean-specific Urimal Test of Articulation and Phonation (U-TAP), and language development was evaluated using the Preschool Receptive-Expressive Language Scale (PRES). The difference in the degree of behavioral-emotional development between the two groups was analyzed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire test. Moreover, changes in articulation, language development, and behavioral-emotional development scores were compared before and 3 months post-operatively in the two groups. Results Thirty patients with ankyloglossia were enrolled and classified into the normal group (n=11) and language delay group (n=19). Children of the language delay group exhibited significantly delayed improvements in emotional symptoms compared to those in the normal group (2.55±1.04 vs. 1.68±1.49 in language delay vs. normal group, respectively; p=0.037). The U-TAP and PRES test scores were improved three months post-operatively in the entire group, but there was no significant difference after surgery when compared between the two groups. Conclusion Behavioral-emotional development was delayed in patients with ankyloglossia accompanied by language delay. Furthermore, articulation and language development improved three months after frenoplasty in all patients. However, behavioral-emotional development was delayed in patients with ankyloglossia accompanied by language delay.